I wake up with sore joints.

Confused, I look around at my surroundings. I'm still in the forest. I take out my phone from my clutch purse to see that it's 10:17 p.m. I have been unconscious for nearly half an hour ...

I'm supposed to leave at 11 p.m. Relieved that I have woken up before then, I stand with the support of my cane, and then wince. I must have lain in a very uncomfortable position because my joints feel as though they're burning. I lean against the tree trunk, waiting for the pain to ease a little. A few minutes later, I brush the detritus from my dress and hair and walk further into the forest.

The forest seemed to be the only escape route when I panicked. But as I traverse it, I don't regret my spontaneous decision. The sounds of the deafening music have faded and instead I hear the quiet sounds of the night creatures awakening. They're soothing.

I am lulled by them until I reach a clearing. And the view is so breathtaking, I stop in my tracks. I can see the stars clearly here. It is a new moon night, allowing the stars to shine their brightest. A few feet in front of me there is a gazebo. Wooden, hexagonal, it looks out at the scenery beyond. There's a large pond with edges covered in blooming water lilies and lotuses. Most of these water flowers are white, however, I notice a few lavender and carnation pink ones amongst them. There is a small, wooden pier leading to the pond; it extends a few feet into the pond as well.

I walk into the gazebo to have a better look at the pond. The water is calm and clear and the flowers are beautiful. I leave the gazebo and walk down the pier. It ends where the flowers end. I take off my shoes and socks. Lifting my dress, I sit on the pier and slowly put my feet into the water. It's cold, but I like it. I laugh and swish my feet in the water.

I like it here. It's calm. Tranquil. Serene. It's near the school, so I could escape here during the day if I wished.

I continue to swing my feet in the water as I lie on my back, looking at the stars. I lose myself in them.

I don't know how much time passes until I realize that I have to go back to the manor. I check my phone again. It's 10:50 p.m. I get out of the water and quickly remove the water droplets from my feet with a water quirk. I move the water back into the pond, and I rush to put my socks and shoes on. Grabbing my cane, I levitate myself and dash through the forest with a wind quirk.

I make it just in time.

Once I arrive at the scene of the party, I can see that most students have left the dance floor and are being picked up. I decide to wait for my valet at the dining table. But to my surprise, the hyacinth blooms are nowhere to be found. Did Todoroki-kun take the flowers with him? Did someone else take the flowers? Or did he or someone else throw them away?

I continue to think about the blooms until my phone rings. It is the chauffeur. My ride has arrived. I leave my seat and walk to the school gates. The car is waiting there. The chauffeur steps out and opens the back passenger door for me. I enter and he returns to the driver's seat.

I feel my arthritis flare and I lie down in my seat. I stare at the roof of the car as he drives back toward the Hanada manor. I contemplate taking a painkiller until he talks to me for the first time. "Hanada-sama wanted me to tell you that he wants a full report of the events at the party before you go to bed, Ma'am.

Without turning my head, I look at him. I'm not sure if he wants a response or not, but I give him one regardless. "Understood. He will receive one."

With that, we remain in silence for the rest of the drive.

The chauffeur reaches the manor and escorts me out of the car. Having some of the pain eased, I walk toward Hanada-sama's office. As I expect, he is waiting for me inside. He is reclining on his settee sofa, swishing a glass partially full of champagne and smoking a cigarette simultaneously.

He turns to look at me and greets me. "Hello, Selene. Do you have news to share?"

I stare at him expressionlessly. "Yes, I do. I made another teacher amenable to me. Kayama Nemuri. Also known as Midnight."

"Ah, yes. The Pro-Hero who gives free strip shows to the public." I am disgusted by his statement, but I do nothing to show it. He continues, "Good job. Anything else?"

"No, Sama. Nothing else."

He stares at me for a few seconds. "You may leave."

I bow to him and leave his office. I enter the bedroom and change out of my gown and accessories. I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror as I remove the bandages. There are a few new lacerations from the quirks of students who showed their quirks at the party. I disinfect them and cover them with bandages.

I wear my nightgown and ready myself for bed. But once I'm in bed, I don't sleep. I think about Todoroki-kun and the forest clearing, and I'm surprised by it. For the first time, I'm thinking of something other than my despair after a rape. I like this change.

I get out of bed and open a diary. I haven't filled its pages yet, but I know what to fill it with. I write about my time with Todoroki-kun at tonight's party. How I enjoyed myself at a raucous party for the first time because of him. How I delighted in eating with him, talking to him, bantering with him. How he wanted to know about me and I about him. How touched I felt by his gesture of linking arms. How he didn't reject me when I leaned on him and instead squeezed my arm to tell me it was alright. How I loved that he treated me like I was his equal. Like I was his friend.

I write about the walk in the forest. The gazebo, the pond, the water flowers, the pier. I write how I am beginning to love the place and would like to go there again. How I would like to show it to Todoroki-kun. I want to show it to Todoroki-kun. I blush at the thought of that.

I feel tired once I'm finished. But I know I have to keep the diary somewhere safe from the Hanadas. I activate an interdimensional quirk I had absorbed years ago. I close my eyes and envision the dimension I want to create: a vault full of locks, passwords, and security measures in which only I can pass through. I envision myself holding the diary and placing it inside the vault. When I open my eyes, the diary is no longer in my hands.

Feeling content, I lie down in the bed and sleep a sleep more restfully than I have ever had before.